Waste mechanism



Aug. 11, 1931.7

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. 39 the tub.

Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES HAnItY s.

PATENT oFF i E WASTE MEc -IANIS Application filed March 19, .1930. .Serial No. 437,217. I

My invention relates to improvements in waste mechanism and more especiallysuch mechanism as is adapted for use in connection with the control of wasteoutlets in bath tubs,

'1. laundry trays, wash stands, and other receptacles. v I

For the purpose of illustrating my. invention I have shown the mechanism as the same may be employed for use with a bath tub;

: but it is to be understood that, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the

same may beused with possible adaptations or modifications, in connection with any receptacle having. a valve controlled waste out- Among the features of my invention is the provision of a remote control for the waste valve which can be located as desired .and

' preferably adjacent the overflow opening in 'Another'feature is the provision of a snapaction switch for controlling the, valve, thus insuring the full opening or closing of the valveat each operation and eliminating the possibilities of-leakage'(when the valve is supposed to be closed) or slow and unsatisfactory drainage when it is supposed tobe open, such as frequently-occur with valve operating controls that do not have the snap 3o action.

' Another feature is theprovision of a spring incorporated in the snap action'switch preventing injury to the switcher any of the.

parts in the event the valveitself is pressed down, for example, by being stepped upon,

when it is in the raised, or open, position.

Another feature of the invention is incorporated in the construction and design of the mechanism, which permits easy removal or 4Q installation of the valve itself, with the guide and operating bell crank for cleaning, repair, or replacement purposes. These parts can easily be removed or replaced by an'unskilled user without the use of any tools. In replac- 4 ing the parts referred to or in installing them STEEN, or cmoaeo,ILLINOIS, AssIGNoamorHn cHIcAGorAUcET co vr- IPANY, or. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A, oonronArIon or. ILLINOIS origin ally, rotation of the guide member is A permitted inside of the sleeve of the seat member, thus permitting the placing of, the-bell crank in the correctposition or angle regardless of the position in which the sleeve is left when; the same is tightened as it isscrewed into position.

he use of my improved mechanism the entire bottom, and practically the entire in.-

terior is kept free from and; clear of, obstructions, or parts of mechanism that might interfere with proper drainage from the tub.

Another feature of theinventi'omis the use of a flexible chain for connecting the, control switch. with the valve actuating bell crank thus furnishing ample give and take for dif.-. ferent: plumbing. arrangements. The piping can be cut and ,set as desired. and the, length of the chain easily adjusted to fit. Other features and advantages of my invention willappear more fully as I'proceed with my specification. I

In that form ofv device :embodying thefeatures of my invention shown in :theaccoma panying drawings, F ig. 1 is a iverticalsece tional' view, Fig. 2 is a'view, in frontelevation of the control switch, Fig.3 is a vertical sectionalview on an enlarged scale, ofthe valve, seat member, guide and bell crank,

Fig. 4 is a bottom'viewof the sameparts, Fig. 5 is a view in front elevationof the 0on1 trol switch showing the shield removed, Fig. 6 is-a detail view of the control switch, and Fig.7 is a view taken as indicated by the line 7ofFig.3. .1

As shown in the drawings, 10 may indicate the bottom of a bath tub or other receptacle, and 11 oneof the walls thereof.- 12 indicates a horizontal waste-or drain pipe entering the If-fitting 13, to the lower-end of which is con.- nected the outlet 14 leading toth-e drainor sewer (not shown). Theupper end of the T- fitting 13'i'sadapted to receive the overflow pipe15.. p

The innerendof the wastepipelQ is pro;

' vided with the usual elbow 16 for making connection with the bottom of the tub 10 which is provided with the usual outlet opening 10. As here shown, this connection is accomplished by the use of a seat member including a valve seat 17, Surrounding a waste outlet orifice 17 b and provided with a depending sleeve 17 externally threaded as indicated by 17. This seat member may hereafter be referred to in its entirety by 17. The connection with the tub is made by screwing the threaded sleeve 17 c into the elbow 16, until the flange 10 in the bottom of the tub is gripped between the flange 17 on the seat member and the flange 16 on the elbow. The usual rubber washer 18 may be employed to make a watertight connection. It makes no difference in what angular position the member 17 is left when the threads are tightened.

20 indicates a valve adapted to seat on the seat 17 or be raised therefrom. This valve is provided with a depending stem 21, slidably mounted in a spider or guide member 22 frictionally held in the sleeve 17 The guide member is indicated in its entirety by 22 and is here shown as being made out of two pieces of sheet metal (see Fig. 7) fastened together by the rivets 22 and bentto form the cross pieces 22 and quadrants 22 the latter being expanded slightly and adapted to be yieldingly pressed in when the member is slipped into the sleeve 17 to hold the same in position by friction. The central portions of the cross pieces 22 are curved away from each other as indicated by 22 to form the central vertical circularguide for the valve stem 21, the lower end of which is provided with a flat head 21 to prevent removal of the stem from the guide.

The central portions 22 of theguide mem ber 22, at one side areprovided with depending extensions 22 carrying the pivot pin 23 on which is mounted the bell crank'lever 24, the horizontal arm of which as indicated by 24 is beneath the head 21 on the lower end of the valve stem. The other arm of the bell crank, as indicated by 24 extends downwardly and is provided with a slot 24 adapted to receive the lower end of a flexible member 25 here shown as the well known chain, formed 7 of flexibly attached spherical bodies.

The valve 20 is adapted to close by its own weight. Pull or tension on the chain 25 rocks the bell crank 24 to open it. As shown by the broken lines in Fig. 1, the valve 20 with the guide member 22 and bell crank 24 can all be lifted out of the seat member 17, for cleaning, repair, or replacement purposes, from the inside of the tub, without the use of any tools. It will be seen also that the guide member 22 is rotatable in the sleeve 17 so that it can always be turned with the bell crank 24 in the correct position regardless of the angular position of the sleeve 17 17", 17 indicate lugs at the bottom of the sleeve 17 to keep the guide member 22 from falling through.

I shall now describe the control mechanism for pulling or releasing the chain 25 to operate the valve 20. As here shown, this includes a snap switch, located adjacent the overflow opening in the tub.

The upper end of the overflow pipe 15 is provided with an elbow 26 adapted to make connection with the wall 11, said connection being effected by means of the collar 27 threaded on the end 26 of the elbow 26 and adapted to clamp the margin 11 of the wall of the tub surrounding the overflow opening between said collar and the flange 26 on the elbow. The usual rubber washer 28 may be used in order to make a tight oint.

The end 26 of the elbow 26 is provided with a pair of inwardly extending lugs 26 adapted to receive the screws 30, 30, which hold the snap action switch in place. This switch includes the supporting member 31, carrying pivotally mounted thereon the vertically rockable tumbler 32, the pivot being indicated by 33. The inner part of the member 31 is provided with a pair of hooks 34 on which is mounted one end of the lever 35. This lever is bifurcated and carries between the arms thereof the spring 36 having one end engaged by the end 37 of the extension on the member 32. The spring 36 operates to urge the lever 35 either upwardly or downwardly as it is moved over the dead center by movement of the tumbler 32 in the nature of a toggle'action and in a manner well known in connection with snap action switches of the type shown and as commonly used in electrical apparatus. It is to be understood. that movement of the tumbler 32 either upwardly or downwardly, near the end of its movement causes the lever 35 to snap to its other position. i

The chain 25 is led through the waste pipe 12, the T-fitting 13, the overflow pipe 15, and itsupper end attached to the movable end of the lever 35. The length of the chain is adjusted so that when the switch is snapped upwardly the valve 20 will be opened and when the switch is snapped downwardly, there will be suflicient slack in the chain for the valve to close of its own weight.

he inner end of the elbow26 is provided with two additional lugs26 26 adapted to receive the screws 38, to hold in place the bell shaped shield 39 which covers the overflow opening and switch mechanism from view in orderto enhance the appearance. The water flow is not obstructed, however, openings 39 being provided in the edge of the shield for such purpose. 39 indicates an elongated opening to accommodate the tumbler 32 of the switch.

' While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modi fications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Waste mechanism of the character described, including; a seat member having a waste outlet sleeve with avalve seat at the upper end; a guide member frictionally held in said sleeve; a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provided with a stem slidably mounted in said guide member; a reciprocable control member located in a position remote from the valve; and a connectlon between said control member and said valve, including a flexible member, whereby movement of said control member will operate said valve.

2. Waste mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, in which there is provided under the valve stem a bell crank, carried by the guide member, for raising the valve, one end of the flexible member being attached to said bell crank to operate the same.

3. \Vaste mechanism of the character described, including; a seat memberhaving a waste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the upper end; a guide member in said sleeve; a reciprocal valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provided with a stem slidably mounted in said guide member; a bell crank under the valve stem, carried by the guide member, for raising the valve; a control memberlocated in a'position remote from the valve; and a connection between said control member and the bell crank for operating the latter by movements of the former.v V g 4. Waste mechanism of the character described, including; a seat member having a waste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the upper end; a guide member in said sleeve; a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provided with a stem slidably mounted in said guide member; a reciprocable control member located in a position remote from the valve; and a connection between said control member and said valve, including a flexible member, whereby movement of said control member will operate said valve, said connection including a bell crank carried by the. guide member under the valve stem for raising the valve, one end of the flexible member being attached to said bell crank to operate the same. V

5. Waste mechanism of the character de scribed, including; a seat member having a waste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the upper end; a guide member in said sleeve; a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be-raised therefrom, an'd'provided with a stem slidably mounted in said guide member;

"a reciprocable control I member located in a position remote from the 'va'lve; and a connection' between said control member andsaid valve, includin a flexible member, whereby movement of sald control member will operate said valve said guide member and valvebeing removable from the sleeve by drawing the guide member through the space sur- 'lfi rounded by the valve seat. 1

6. Waste mechanism of the character described, including; a seat member having a waste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the I upper end; a guide member frictionally and rotatably mounted in said sleeve; a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provided with a stem slidably mounted in said guide member; a reciprocable control member located in a po- 35 sition remote from the valve; and a connection between said control member and said valve, including a flexible member, whereby movement of said control member will operate said valve.

7. Waste mechanism of the character described, including; a seat member having a waste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the upper end; a removable guide member in said sleeve; and a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provided with a stem slidably mounted in said guide member. 7

8. Waste mechanism of the character described, including; a seat member having a waste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the upper end; a guide member in said sleeve; a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provided with a stemslidably mounted in said guide member, and a bell, crank under the valve stem carried by the guide member for raising the valve.

9. Waste mechanism of the character described, including; a seat member having anwaste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the upper end; a removableguide member in said sleeve; a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provi'ded with a'stem slidably mounted in said guide member; a reciprocable control member located in a position remote from the valve; and a connection between said control member and said valve, including a' flexible V member, whereby movement of said control member will operate said valve, said connection including a bell crank carried by the guide member underthe valve stem for raising the valve, one end of the flexible member being attached to said bell crank to operate 5125 the same.

10. Waste mechanism of thecharacter described, including'; a seat member having a waste outlet sleeve with a valve seat at the 7 upper end a guide member in said sleeve and T 0 {a reciprocable valve adapted to seat on said seat or be raised therefrom, and provided with a stem slidably mounted in said guide memher; said guide member and valve being removable from the sleeve by drawing the guide member through the space surrounded by the valve seat.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of March, 1930. i I0 HARRY S. STEEN. 

